Kalu Pushes Near-Shoring Model, Calls for EU Shift to Local Manufacturing in Nigeria

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has advocated a fundamental shift in Europe’s economic engagement with Nigeria, urging investors to adopt a near-shoring model that prioritizes local production, job creation, and technology transfer over raw material extraction.

Speaking in Abuja during a meeting with European lawmakers from the First Step Forum, led by Marc Jost, Kalu argued that current trade patterns fail to maximize Africa’s economic potential or address migration pressures.

At the heart of his argument is near-shoring—an approach that relocates manufacturing closer to resource origins. He said the model would stimulate industrialization, expand employment opportunities, and strengthen intercontinental economic integration.

“We have a huge youth population. You have the capital and the technology; we have the raw materials. The question is why we are not practising what the economy calls near-shoring,” he stated.

Kalu criticized the continued export of unprocessed commodities, highlighting cocoa as a case in point: “Why export cocoa only to import finished chocolate? Let the factories come here. That is value addition and that is how jobs are created.”

He further identified Nigeria’s lithium deposits as strategically important in the global clean energy shift, urging investment in domestic battery production for electric vehicles rather than exporting raw inputs.

Beyond economics, Kalu called for a recalibration of Africa-Europe relations anchored in reciprocity and shared prosperity. He also underscored Nigeria’s religious diversity as a governance asset that fosters inclusivity.

In addition, he praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting religious harmony through inclusive policies and symbolic interfaith engagements.

The European delegation’s visit reflects ongoing efforts to deepen parliamentary diplomacy and identify collaborative responses to migration, sustainable development, and investment challenges.

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